Julia Ann Markham Perry

The sun was just setting behind the west mountains when Stephen Markham, tired from a hard day's work in the fields, drove his team into the corral. He was hanging the last piece of harness on the peg when he heard the sound of galloping horses riding toward him. When the Indians arrived at the corral, all but one dismounted and started examining the stock in the various pens.

The buck who remained on his pony held an Indian child about two or three years of age. After inspecting the animals the Indian came toward Stephen, telling him they wanted to exchange the Papoose for most of his horses, sheep and cattle. Mr. Markham informed them the price was too high and that he didn't want the child. After another consultation the Indian decided to settle for the choice beef. Again Mr. Markham told them they wanted too much, but that he would give them one steer.

This made the redmen angry and one of the them rushed over to the pony, took the little girl and pushed her toward the chopping block. Appalled by this brutal action on the part of the Indians, Mr. Markham told them they could take all the steers.

Mrs. Markham, hearing the commotion, came to the corral and after learning the details took the papoose in her arms and hurried in the house. The child was soon bathed, dressed in clean clothing and fed. Mr. Markham later learned that the Indians had stollen the child from an enemy tribe.

She became part of the Markham household and was given the name of Julia (of Julia Ann). Being proud, when she grew up to young womanhood she seemed to desire a fair skin like her white sisters, so she always wore a sunbonnet to protect her face from the sun's rays. She learned to cook, sew and do other pioneer tasks.

When Julia was twenty years of age she met a young man named Frank Perry. He was of Spanish descent and had come from California to find work. Frank and Julie were married after a short courtship and when he secured work in Panguitch they went there to make their home. About 1878 a son was born to them and when the infant was old enough for travel her husband brought them to the Markham home for a visit.

On the way back to Panguitch Frank was critically hurt when his gun, which had knocked the wagon wheel as he was getting out to shoot a rabbit, discharged. He died a short time later. Julie and baby, Frank Jr., returned to the Markham home where they lived until the child was nearing his fourth birthday.

The parents of Frank, then residing in California, desired Julie and their grandson to come and live with them. After living in California only a short time Julie contracted Malaria fever and died very suddenly. A few days after receiving the sad news, the Markhams learned that little Frank also had passed away, a victim of the same disease. They were both buried in Sante Fe, California and many members of the Markham family have visited their graves.

-By Rose Ellen Patterson Markham & Vernecia Markham Beck